Electric switch



July 16, 1940. F. P. GATES 2,208,500

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 26, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FREDERIC P. GATES BY HIS ATTORNEYS July 16, 1940. GATEs 2,208,500

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 26, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 2 L I I I III I v v A B A across L-N 24 7 across I 7 If N \1/ INVENTOR FREDERIC Y P- GATES T -BY HIS4ATTYORNEYS July 16, 1940. F. P. GATES 2,208,500

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 26,, 1937 3 Shets-Sheet s 201 v 1- 285 2 290 V I 282 244 INVENTOR FREDERIC I? GATES 2 4 \a32 BY HIS ATTORNEYS srar s attests ELECTRIG svvrrcn Frederic ll. Gates, Toronto, @ntario, Canada, as-

signor to The Arrow-Hart &,Hiegeman Electric Company, Hartford, @onn, a corporation of Connecticut Application March 2d, 193?, Eierial No. 133,254

2t Claims. (Ci. 2illl l) This invention relates to electric switches. base of the switch shown in Figures 1 and 2 with More particularly it relates to electric switches the mechanism removed, the section being taken particularly adapted for use in circuits including along line 3-3 of Figure 7. Figure 4 is a fragheater elements such as in electric ranges and mentary vertical section view with the section 5 plates. being taken along line l-d of Figure 1. Figure 5 Heretofore electric switches for this type of 5 is a detail view showing in plan the bearing disc service have most commonly been rotary snap employed in this invention. Figure fiisadetailed switches or slow break lever operated switches view showing in plan a supporting bridge or bearin which the lever was capable of taking three or ing plate employed in thisinvention. Figure 7 more positions in a single plane of movement. is a plan view looking into the interior of the in- 210 It is an object of this invention to provide an vention with the cover and bearing plates re improved form of lever operated electric switch moved and the bearing disc broken away partly mechanism in which by swivelling the operating for clearness. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure handle, the switch may be positioned for closing 7 but with the switch in a different position. Figthe circuit to the heating elements of an electric ure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but with the 15 range or the like to give three degrees of heat. switch in a third position. Figure 10 is a detailed Another object of my invention is to provide view showing in plan the indicator plate used in means preventing the swivelling of the switch this invention. 'Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view mechanism while the switch is in circuit-closing of the switch as connected to a two-section reposition. Another object of my invention is to sister and a three-wire power supply line. This g0 provide a switch of the above type which is View also indicates diagrammatically the degrees adapted for use in connection with either a two of heat produced when the switch is in its various or three line power supply. angular positions. Figure 12 is a perspective view Another object of' this invention is to provide of the switch frame. an electric snap switch particularly adapted for Figure 13 is a perspective view of an insulating 25 use in connection with electric ranges and the plate and auXi iary C ta t o mounting pm like in which switch the operation is controlled the bottom of the frame shown in Figure 12 in a by a lever which operates a tumbler or overmodified form of switch. 7 center type of snapping mechanism. Figure l i'is a vertical section view, taken along Another object of this invention is to provide an a plane similar to that indicated by i 4l 4 in Fig. 30 electric switch for the above-mentioned type of 7, illust at ng th inventiOn in modified fl service in which a tumbler or over-center type of i. e., as is constructed when the plate of Fig. 13 is mechanism is employed and which is capable of used. controlling the circuit connections to a two or ig r 15 is a r nsv t n view hr h three element heating unit to give three or more the invention as modified according to F gures 13 35 degrees of heat from the unit. and 14.

Another object of my invention is to provide a Figure 16 is a p View P y in Section ta n switch for the above type of service, which is along line lG-lfi of Figure 17 showing a third mounted in a base similar to the bases heretofore form of invention.

4 used in connection with rotary snap switches, but Figure 17 is a V tical Sect on View Of the in- 4 in which the snap mechanism is of the tumbler or vention shown in Figure 16 with the section beover-center type. ing taken along line l'|-il of Figure 16.

other objects and advantages will becom ap- Figure 18 is an elevation view partly in section v parent as it is described in connection with the of the switch mechanism used in the form of inaccompanying drawings. vention illustrated in Figures 16 and 17. 45

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a switch g re 19 is a elevation w p y in section,

embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 of the switch mechanism used in the form of inis a vertical section view through a switch emvention illustrated in Figures 16 to 18. bodying the principles of my invention, with the Referring to the drawings the switch is mounted section being taken through the cover plate and behind a surface plate It) and a sub-plate ID such 50 upper parts of the switch on line 2-2 of Figure as found in electric ranges. Against the top'sur- 1 but being taken through the insulating base face of the surface plate there lies a cast metal and those parts of the switch which are housed indicating member I2 having a pointed end H within the base on line 22 of Figure 7. Fig. 3 which indicates whether the switch is in position is a vertical section view through the insulating to complete the circuit for giving high, medium 55 and low degrees of heat. The indicator has a flat back face and on the front there is an arched central portion it with a longitudinal slot 38 therethrough. An operating lever 2b of the switch extends through the slot iii and has upon its outer end an insulating handle 22, the lower surface of which bears upon the curved surface it of the indicator and thus holds the indicator between the handle and the surface plate iii. A circular aperture is provided in theplates id and H3 and a pair or short arcuate lugs (Figs. 2 and project from the back surface of the indi cator i2 into this aperture for the purpose or guiding the indicator as the switch operator is moved into various angular positions, as hereinafter described. Obviously the outside diameter oi the lugs will approximate the diameter of the aperture in plate The switch mechanism is mounted in an ap" proximately circular insulating base w hichis hollowed out centrally from its upper surface the reception of the switch mechanism. The switch mechanism is mounted upon a ll-shaped frame (Fig. 11) of which the parallel identical side arms have the irregular shape shown.

transverse or base portion of this frame has.

The

projecting down from it in a central position an axle for swivelly mounting the frame.

placed between the base or" the frame and a square metallic plate which is mounted in a square recess in the floor 01 the insulating base. A lug is turned up at right angles to the surface of the square plate at and has in registry with it, when the switch is in off position, a lug 12 which is bent down from the base of the switch frame. In order to hold these lugs in registry and thereby normally urge the switch frame into predetermined position, a spring 363 is coiled about the collar to and has its ends engaging with opposite sides of the lugs ll) and A movable bridging contact member t6 is capable oi actuation by conventional tumbler or overcenter spring snapping mechanism by means of the operating lever 2b which is pivotally mounted in the frame 32 by means of the pivot pin 38 extending transversely between the parallel frame arms. This type of switch mechanism is well known in the art and therefore it need not .be described nor illustratedin detail. It will be sufficient to say that in a conventional fashion the bridging contacts 66 and d! are mounted upon and insulated from a flat stamped sheet metal switching yoke 58! which swings to and fro between the switch frame arms in an arc of less than 90 under the action of an overcenter spring 52 which engages at one end with a transverse part of the switching yoke 5, and at the other, with the operating lever 20. Since the operating lever 2d, switching yoke 50 and movable contact 66 are all mounted upon the switch frame 32 it will 'be obvious that as the frame is swivelled about its axis 36 the whole switch mechanism will move (l3, it, which have extending inwardly therefrom at various angles contact fingers l l i2, id, U5, El

and 78. The angles at which the various con-' tact fingers will extend is determined by the mov- This axle passes through a spacing collar 3? which is aeoasoo able contacts and ll which engage with the various fixed contacts in the various angular positions of the switch frame and movable con tacts.

By reason of the action of the coil spring the switch frame will always return to the normally central position which is shown in Figure 7 whenever the movable contacts are in open clr-= cult position. In this central position the movable contacts may either be in open circuit noel tion with the movable contact disengaged from all fixed contacts, or-upon operation of the operating lever the movable contacts engage with certain of the fixed contacts, that is to say, movable contact d5 will engage with fixed contacts 32 (upper) and 3 (lower) while movable contact ll will engage with fixed contacts (upper) and (lower). To this end the fared contacts and 32 will be in a single plane and .fixed contacts 36 and will be in another sta-= tionary plane parallel to the plane of contacts t2 and the'spacing of these planes being determined by or" the movable contacts 36 and Now if, while the switch is in open circuit position, the handle 22 is grasped and the switch frame and mechanism is swivelled about the axis 54 into the angular position shown in 8, then the operating lever may be rocked about its pivot 88 to cause movable contacts and ll to snap into circuit closing position. in this no" sition movable contact ll? will engage with the fixed contacts ll and 34 while movable contact ll will engage with fixed contacts and iii. The engagement of the stationary and movable contacts in this position will prevent the return of the switch frame to the central or normal position and the switch frame and mechanism may only return to central position when the operating lever is again moved to snap the movable contacts so and ll to open circuit position.

If, while the contacts are in open-circuit position, the switch frame is moved to the position shown in Figure 9 by grasping the handle 22 and swivelling the frame and mechanism about the pivot 3% then the movable contacts may be moved into a third closed-circuit position by rocking the operating lever 2d about its pivot 38. In. this position the movable contact to will engage with fixed contacts t4 and it while the movable contact it will engage with fixed contacts 68 and t5. In this position again it is the engagement of these fixed and movable contacts which holds the switch frame and mechanism in this angular position against the tendency of the return spring QE to return the switch frame and mechanism to the central position.

In order to hold the switch mechanism in the cavity of the insulating base a circular bearing disc $0 is secured across the upper ends of the switch frame 32 by means of lugs 82 extending from the upper ends of the arms of the switch frame 32 into complementary apertures 83 in the bearing disc at and having their ends peened over. Thus the bearing disc Bil will move as a it with the switch frame. A diametrical slot 8% may be provided in the bearing disc for passage of the operating lever 2d. Fitting loosely over this bearing disc 80 is a flanged bearing plate 86 whose diameter between flanges is approximately that of the bearing disc 8. Diametrlcal lugs 88 extend in opposite directions from the periphery of this flanged bearing plate s8 and seat upon the top edge of the switch base,

being secured thereon by bolts so.

In order to resist movement 01' the switch frame from one angular positionto another while the fixed and movable contacts are in engagement and consequently prevent damage to the fixed or movable contacts by the exertion of undue pressure in an attempt to change the angular position of the frame, a central aperture is provided in the bearing plate 86 having three radial finger-.

'lever is unhindered in its movement as attempt is made to change the angular position of the switch mechanism.

If desired, the mounting plate I0 may be secured to the flanged bearing plate 86 by screws 89.

If desired, the plates by which the fixed contacts of the switch are secured to the base may connect these contacts with wire terminal plates on the bottom face of the insulating base, for example, the contact plate 63 may be connected by bolt 90 to terminal plate 9| having a terminal screw 92.

Referring to the diagram (Fig. 11) it will be noted that the switch may be connected to a resistor or heating unit having sections A and B by the following means: Wire 93 for connecting the contact plate 60 and to the outside of section B; wire 94 for connecting the mid-point of the sections A and B and to the contact plate 61; and wire 95 for connecting the outside of section A and. the contact plate 53. The threewire supply line may be connected as follows:

Outside wire, L to contact plate 10 Neutral wire, N, to contact plate 13 Outside wire, L to contact plate 16 The various positions of the movable contacts 46 and 41 are illustrated in this diagram as fol-' lows: 4

In full lines the contact is in position to give a medium degree of heat in the heater, unit. In dot-and-dash lines the position of the switch for giving a high degree of heat is shown. The dotted lines show the switch in position to give a low degree of heat. Connections and circuits completed will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon inspection of the diagram in connection with the foregoing description.

The form of invention just described is adapted particularly for use in connection with a three line power supply. If it be desired to use the invention with a two line power supply this may be accomplished by affixing to the bottom surface of the switch frame 32 a sheet insulation plate I00 having thereon a narrow conducting strip I02, which functions as an auxiliary contact member and has'ends I02" and I02 wrapped around the edge of this insulating plate I00 in spaced positions directly opposite the contact members 61 and 13 when the switch frame is in mid or high heat position (see Figure 7). To engage with the end portions III2 and I02 there are provided additional stationary contact members I61 and I13 consisting of thin resilient strips of sheet metal whose outer ends are secured beneath the contact members 61 and 13. The contacts I61 and I13 are bent down into the base 246 and 241.

cavity and their ends are reversely bent forming contact surfaces facing radially inward of the switch so as to rub against and make contact with the ends I02 and I02 of the movable contact I02 in the high heat position of the switch. In the other positions of the switch these stationary contacts I61 and I13 are disengaged. In other details the switch, as described in connection with Figures 1 to 12, remains the same.

When the switch is to be used with a two-wire supply the contact members 10 and 16 will be connected to a single one of the power lines, the other power line being connected to the neutral contact member 13. The high, medium and low heat positions of the switch will be exactly the same and the elements A, B, will be connected in parallel between the lines in high heat position and in series between the lines in low heat position and only element A will be connected between the lines in the medium heat position.

My invention is equally applicable to a slow make and break type of switch. This form of the invention is shown in Figs. 16 to 19. There, the switch mechanism comprises a lever 220 pivoted upon a pin 205 passing transversely through parallel vertical arms 232 which connect and space a plate 280 (similar to the plate of the form of the switch previously described) and an insulating plate 20I (similar to the insulating plate I00). Mounted upon the lower end of the operating lever 220 is a peaked insulated cam 22I whose surfaces are adapted to move resilient movable circuit-making and breaking contacts These circuit-breaking contacts are mounted upon the insulating plate 2M. The movable circuit-breaking contacts 24$ and 241 are adapted, under the influence of operating lever 220, to engage and disengage fixed circuitbreaking contacts 248 and 250 which are also mounted upon the upper surface of the insulating plate 20I. It is the purpose and function of these circuit-making and breaking contacts to initiate and terminate the flow of current through the device and circuit. As will hereinafter appear, it is not possible to complete the circuit nor interrupt the flow of current through it by the engagement or disengagement of any other set of contacts in the device. I

The circuit-breaking mechanism is swivelly mounted so as to permit its movement into angularly spaced positions for high, medium or low heat connections to be made. The swivel mounting comprises a cylindrical cup 280 fixed centrally to the lower surface of the insulating.

plate 20I.- Housed in the cup is a coil spring 28I which presses a ball 282 upwardly in position to engage the lower end of the operating lever 220 which is formed in the shape of a cam having indentations, such as 220, for the reception of the ball as the lever is moved into extreme positions. This spring-pressed ball and the cam construction serve as'indexing means to determine the positions of rest of the operating lever 220, i. e., the circuit-making and the open-circuit positions. An axial projection 284 extends from the bottom of the cylindrical cup 280 into a bearing plate 238 similar to the plate 38 in the previously described modification. The cup and switch mechanism may be oscillated about the projection 284 as an axis.

In order to return the switch mechanism to mid-position automatically a wire spring 244 is coiled around the outside of the cup 280 and engases with a lug 240 extending up from one edge The switch mechanism may be held in the base by a flanged bearing plate, like plate 86 in Figs.

2, 4 and .6, and is held against swivelling while in closed circuit position by engagement of lever 220 with one or another of slots 86, a, b, or c.

For the purpose of selectingthe proper circuit and establishing its connections to give the high, medium and low degrees of heat, six stationary contact members 260, 263, 261, 210, 213,

216 are positioned around the base. These members may be considered as selector contacts for they are adapted to be connected selectively with movable selector contacts 246,; 241, 248, 250 (hereinafter more particularly'described) as the circuit breaking mechanism, is swivelled about axis 284. Each of the stationary selector contacts, for example 213, hasa terminal portion seated in a recess in the upper face of'the switch base 200 and a mid-portion running down into the base cavity along the inside base wall and,

connecting with a contact portion 213 projecting radially inward in a transverse plane'midway down in the cavity of the switch base. For engagement with stationary selector contacts 260, 263, 261 as the mechanism is swivelled, there areattached to, or formed integrally with the movable circuit breaker contacts 246, 241, the two movable selector contacts 246, 241. These contacts 246,241 may lie upon the upper surface of the insulating plate 201. Similar movable selector-switch contacts 248, 250 lie on the upper surface of the insulating plate and are attached to,or formed integrally with, statacts 248, 250, are for selective engagement withstationary selector contacts 210, 213, 216.

Referring now to the selector contacts and the 263, 250 of contacts 260, 263, 250 areelongated in a clockwise direction and that contact portion 216 of contact 210 is elongated 'in a counter- 9 clockwise direction so that each of these will be engaged by one or another of the movable selector contacts in two tions. The connector contacts 261 and 213 are or normal size and will not be engaged by the same movable connector contact intwosucceeding positions.

In the high heat position (Fig-16) movable selector contacts 246, 241- engage stationary contacts 260, 263 respectively and, likewise 248,

and A in series, and the neutral will be connected 1 to the midpoint between the elements A and B, provided the switch is constructed with an auxiliary connector and contacts similar in function to the connector I02 of the previously described form oiinvention. 7

Such an auxiliary connector 290 is shown as mounted on the bottom face or the insulatin plate 26! by which it is insulated from the other conducting-parts carried by said plate. It may be arcuate with 'two end portions extending toward but not over the edge of the insulating II P1866261. 'I'hesetwo 'end portions will engage tionary circuit breaker'conta'cts 248, 250. Consucceeding switch posi with two extra stationary selector contacts (see for example 313). These extra contacts may be similar in shape to the connector contacts 213 and 261 and may lie beneath the contacts 213 and 261. As in the case of the previously described form of invention this'auxiliary connector makes it possible to use the invention with either a two or a three wire supply line.

When the switch is in open circuit position the circuit breaking mechanism may be swivelled clockwise and operated to close the circuit for low heat connections. In this position movable connector contact 246 will engage stationary connector contact 263, and similarly 201 will engage 261: while 250 will engage 273 and 248 will remain in engagement with 210.

When the switch is in open circuit position the circuit breaking mechanism may be swivelled counter-clockwise from midposition and operated by lever 220 to close the circuit for medium a heat connections. In this position, movable connector contacts 246, 241 and 248 will remain in contact with fixed connector contacts 260, 263 and 210 respectively, with which they en-- gaged in high heat position, and movable connector .contact 250 will be in engagement with fixed connector contact 213.

Only in the high heat position will the'auxiliary connector engage with its fixed contacts.

It will be observed that in each of the forms of the invention the circuit making and breakin mechanism, whether of the snap type or not, may be swivelled into several positions, wherein the movable circuit breaking contacts may be operated to close the circuits for high, low and medium heat, and that while the circuit is complotted the mechanism can not be swivelled. Thus, the circuit can not be opened at the connector contacts, nor can the switch contacts be damaged by inopportune attempted swivelling of the mechanism.

. Many modifications within the scope of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art and therefore I do not limit my invention to the specific embodiments of the switch as described and shown.

substitution of various of the fixed contacts the switch may be adapted for use in other circuits than that described and illustrated.

I claim: v 1. In a snap switch, an operating member, a pivotally mounted movable contact, snapping mechanism for moving said movable contact into closed-circuit and open-circuit positions with a snap motion upon movement of said member, supporting means for said member and contact and mechanism movable into angularly spaced positions, and fixed contacts angularly spaced for engagement by said movable contact in different angular. positions of said supporting means.

2. In a snap switch, anoperating member, a movable contact, snapping mechanism including an over-center spring for actuating said movable contact between open-circuit and closedcircuit positions upon movement of said operating member, supporting means for said member By re-arrangement, omission or and contact and mechanism movable into angularly spaced positions, and fixed contacts angularly spaced for engagement by said. movable contact in difierent angular positions of said supporting means.

3. In a snap switch, an operating member, a movable contact, snapping mechanism -for actu-' ating said movable contact between open-circuit tions of said supporting means, and means to and closed-circuit positions upon movement of said operating member, supporting mechanism for said member and contact and mechanism movable into angularly spaced positions, fixed contacts angularly spaced for engagement by said movable contact in different angular posiautomatically return said supporting means to a predetermined one of said angular positions when said ,fixed' and movable contacts are disengaged.

4. Ina snap switch, areciprocating operating lever, a pivotally mounted movable contact, snapping mechanism including an over-center spring for actuating said movable contact between open-circuit and closed-circuit positions upon movement of said operating lever, swivelly mounted supporting means for said lever and contact and mechanism movable into angularly spaced positions, and fixed contacts angularly spaced for engagement by said movable contact in different angular positions of said supporting means, and means to automatically return said supporting means to a pretermined one of said angular positions when said fixed and movable contacts are disengaged.

5. In a snap switch, an operating member, a-

lar positions of said supporting means, and means other than the engagement of the fixed and movable contacts for holding said supporting means 'angularly immovable while said fixed and movable contacts are.engaged but beingfreed for movement upon disengagement of said fixed and movable contacts I 6. In a snap switch, a reciprocating operating I lever, a pivotally mounted movable contact,

snapping mechanism including an over-center spring. for actuating said movable contact between open-circuit and closed-circuit positions upon movementof said operating lever, swivelly mounted supporting means for said lever and contact and mechanism movable into angularly spaced position, said movable contact moving in a plane parallel to said swivel axis, fixed contacts angularly spaced for engagement by said movable contact in different angular positions of said supporting means, said fixed contacts having their contact faces extending in angularly spaced planes parallel to said swivel axis.

7. In a snap switch, a reciprocating operating lever, a movable contact, snapping mechanism for actuating said movable contact with a snap motion upon movement of said lever, swivelly mounted supporting means for said lever and contact and mechanism, said movable contact moving in a plane parallel to said swivel axis and fixed contacts angularly spaced for engagement by said movable contact in different angular positions of said supporting means, said fixed contacts having their contact faces extending in angularly spaced planes parallel to said swivel axis, and means to automatically return said supporting means to a predetermined one of said angular positionswhen said fixed and movable contacts are disengaged, said automatic movable contacts are engaged.

8. In a snap switch,-an insulating base, a movfixed contacts mounted thereon,

able contact movable in planes perpendicular to the bottom of the base, an operating lever, snapping mechanism for moving said contact into open-circuit and closed-circuit positions, a frame supporting said lever and contact and mechanism and movable into angularly spaced positions, means for swivelly mounting said frame in said base, and fixed contacts angularly spaced around said base for engagement by said movable contact in different angular positions of said supporting frame.

' 9. In a snap switch, an insulating base, fixed i sets of said fixed contacts when said frame is moved into different angularly spaced positions, said swivel mounting including a bearing disc movable with said frame, a bearing plate mounted on said base and guiding the rotation of said disc, said plate having recesses therein whose margins are engaged by said operating lever in its various circuit-closing positions to prevent swivelling of said frame while the fixed and movable contacts are in engagement.

10; In an electric switch, a base, a plurality of fixed contacts mounted thereon, switching mechanism for completing and interrupting the circuit between certain predetermined and selected fixed contacts, a pivotal mounting for said mechanism enabling it to be swivelied into a plurality of different angular positions, means apart from said contacts for preventing swivelling of said mechanism while the circuit is closed,

' and means terminating the swivel movement of said switching mechanism when said contacts are in register whereupon said switch mechanism may be operated to cause circuit completion.

11. In an electric switch, abase, a plurality of switching mechanism including relatively movable contacts for completing and interrupting a circuit, a

pivotal mounting for said mechanism enabling it to be swivelied into a plurality of different angular positions, circuitselecting contacts engaged and disengaged by said swivel movement and means to prevent swivelling of said mechanism, while the circuit is completed.

12. In an electric switch, a base, a plurality 'of fixed contacts mounted thereon, switching mechanism including a manual operator and a movable contact for completing and interrupting the circuit between certain predetermined and selected fixed contacts, a pivotal mounting for said mechanism enabling it to be swivelied into a plurality of different angular positions, means other than a contact affixed to said base and engaged by said manual operator in closed circuit positions to prevent swivelling of said mechanism, and means terminating the swivel movement of said switching mechanism when said contacts are in register whereupon said switch mechanism may be operated to cause circuit completion. a

13. In an electric switch for selecting a predetermined circuit arrangement and making and breaking the circuit thereto comprising a plurality of fixed contacts adapted for different circuit connections, circuit making and breaking mechanisms, apivotal mounting for said mechanism permitting swivelling of said mechanismbreaking the circuit thereto comprisinga plurality of fixed contacts adapted for difierent circuit connections, circuit making and breaking mechanism, a pivotal mounting for said mechanism permitting swivelling of said mechanism into difierent positions for selecting the circuit to be controlled, means independent of said contacts for preventing swivelling of said mechanism while the circuit is completed, and means for connecting in one-switch position certain of said fixed contacts, said certain contacts being controlledby operation of said circuit making and breaking mechanism while in another switch position but nqt while in said one position.

15. In an electric switch for selecting a predetermined circuit arrangement and making and breaking the circuit thereto comprising a plurality of fixed contacts adapted for different circuit connections, circuit making and breaking mechanism, a pivotal mounting for said mechanism permitting swivelling of said mechanism into diflerent'positions for selecting the circuit to be controlled means independent of said contacts for preventing swivelling of said mechanism while the circuit is completed and means connecting certain of said switch contacts in one active switch position. but being inactive in the remaining active switch positions.

16. In an electric switch, a base, a plurality of fixed contacts mounted thereon, means swivelly mounted in said base and supporting a plurality of contacts which selectively engage with said fixed contacts as said means is swivelled into different positions, circuit making and breaking means mounted on said swivelly mounted means, and means for preventing swivelling movement unless said circuit breaking means is in circuit breaking position.

17. In an electric switch, a base, a plurality oi fixed contacts mounted thereon, means swivelly mounted in said base and supporting a plurality of contacts which selectively engage with said fixed contacts as said means is swivelled into difierent positions, circuit making and breaking means mounted on said swivelly mounted means, and means preventing saidcircuit making contacts from being operated into circuit making position until said selectively engageable contacts are fully engaged.

18. In an electric switch, a base, a plurality of fixed contacts mounted thereon, a swivelling mount supported in said basepselector contacts on said mount adapted to selectively engage said fixed contacts as said mount is swivelled, means on said mount for making and breaking the circuit irrespective of which ones of said fixed contacts are engaged by said selector contacts, and means preventing circuit making movement until said fixed and said selector contacts are fully in register and preventing selection of a new circuit arrangement while the circuit is com-.

pleted through a previously selected circuit.

19. In an electric switch, fixed contacts connectible to power lines, other fixed contacts connectible to a load, bridging contact means for connecting said line and load contacts, snap 3 mechanism for operating said movable contact, supporting means for said snap mechanism movable into angularly spaced positions, an operating member movable to engage and disengage said bridging contactiwith different ones of said fixed contacts as said supporting means is moved into diiferent angular positions, and means to exactly locate said angular positions, said operating member being operable only when said bridging contact is in exact register with one.

or another set of fixed contacts.

20. In an electric switch, fixed contacts connectible to power lines, other fixed contacts connectible to a load, bridging contact means for connecting said line and load contacts, snap mechanism for operating saidmovable contact, supporting means for said snap mechanism movable into angularly spaced positions, an operating member movable to engage and disengage said bridging contact with diiIerent ones of said fixed contacts as said supporting means is into diiIerent angular positions, and means to, exactly locate said angular positions, said operating member being operable only when said bridging contact is in exact register with one or another set of fixed contacts, said locatingmeans preventing movement of said supporting member into another angular position while the contacts are engaged.

I FREDERIC P. GATES.

moved 

